It is important to set yourself up for success. Most people are real good at making resolutions and quitting on them within six weeks of the new year. Let’s do something different this year. Chunk down your resolutions. For example, If you say, “I will go to the gym 5 times a week” instead say, “I will move 10 minutes a day 5 times a week with intention.” Tell yourself “I intend to walk for 10 minutes to meet my goal.” This alternative resolution helps create feelings of success. After all, who can’t walk for 10 minutes?

Maybe your resolution is to get more sleep. How are you going to make that happen? Just saying it doesn’t make a resolution happen. You need an action plan. Pick a bedtime that feels comfortable and then start getting ready for bed about 30 minutes before your actual bedtime. You will need time to change into your pajamas, brush your teeth and factor in some time to actually fall asleep after your head hits the pillow (usually between 7 to 15 minutes for most people).

If you want to be a more positive person in 2016, you have to make an effort to create a positive life. I am here to tell you, merely wishing and hoping you will be a more positive person does not make it happen. Everyone has days when they are angry, snarky and/or grouchy, including me. But if you are negative much more than you are positive in a day, week or month, then BRAVO to you for wanting to make the shift. How can you make a shift if you are not in touch with your behavior? You can’t! Many people don’t think they are really that negative even when their friends and family are saying things like, “Now don’t be so negative” or “Hear me out before you toss out my idea” or the classic question, “Are you ever positive about anything?”

Personal awareness is the key to making changes. Write your negative comments or negative thoughts down on a piece of paper. Writing it down is the first step towards change. Awareness of the behavior is the second step. You may have been negative for so long that you don’t even realize how negative you really are.

Henry Ford said “Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t you’re right.” My hope is that you think you can. After you track your negative comments and thoughts for a day or so, look over the list and pick one negative area you will commit to changing. Maybe it is complaining about your boss, your food server, the traffic or your significant other. Make a commitment to quit complaining about them. Start small and practice often. Don’t expect to be “perfect” because you will never reach the level of perfection. Negativity creeps back in if you don’t keep a vigil watch on yourself. Replace negative behaviors with positive behaviors. Replace the word can’t with won’t. Replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations.

Remember the childhood story of the little engine that though he could? He was trying to take his heavy load up a big hill and kept sliding backwards. Each try he’d say, “I think I can, I think I can.” Eventually after several tries he pulled his heavy load over the mountain. Remember, if you think you can or if you think you can’t you’re right. Practicing positive behaviors allows you to Be The Best You – You Can Be!

#Coach_Julie_W @ http://www.woodworkerlifecoaching.com Owner of Woodworker Life Coaching in Carmichael, CA Coaching services are available in person or on the phone. Package pricing available. If you want to create the life you want call me Coach Julie @ 916-572-6619.